Thank you for the compliment, but I must say that the flip side of not wearing makeup is that I get asked — frequently — questions such as what high school I go to. (Got that one just two weeks ago — and I turn 29 this month!)

As for the heels — oh, I completely understand that one! Owning a horse has made me very minimalist — both because of the expense and because of the likelihood of getting dirty — but I used to be very much the shoe fanatic. :o)

Send me an email – want to ask you something….

I’m the ME of a content portal and I give very specific instructions on what is permissible and what is not. I routinely have people submitting articles that in no way, shape, or form fit the guidelines. Then I find posts on different forums complaining about me and how I don’t give these people assignments.

Presentable = clean

Normal is tougher to define. But it’s as Devon says – personal respect. We all know there is no definition of “normal” that fits. And I’d never use the word “normal” to describe what a person should/should not subscribe to. I’m here to help other writers improve their businesses and their careers.

I understand what you’re saying. Believe it or not, I do practice a lot of compassion for others in many ways. This post wasn’t directed at the general public and those suffering tough times – it was meant for the working writer out in public who needs to understand the importance of appearance. As much as it pains me to say it, clients do indeed judge us on our appearances.

Self-righteous smugness? No. Common sense advice based on exactly what I describe here. The world DOES judge us by our appearances. While it’s great to thumb our noses at that once in a while, I’m pointing out here that it’s detrimental to careers to take appearances too much for granted, especially when you’re in a public setting conducting business. Is that wrong? Not from this chair.

Having gone through a rather tragic time in my personal life recently, I have woken up to the fact that life needs to go on, groceries need to be purchased, laundry needs to get done, projects need to be finished — even when it is the LAST thing in the world you want to do. So, maybe some of the slovenly are temporary slobs — maybe he or she just needed to get the hell out of the house. Maybe that disgusting slob is coping with things you can't even imagine. Maybe he/she needs to lurch down to the local cafe and be surrounded by humanity — not necessarily participate actively with those humans, but going to a cafe, even if dressed horribly and unshaven and unshowered — well, it sure beats the hell out of feeling trapped in the house & feeling desperately, dangerously alone.

I understand what you are saying & have also felt that self-righteous smugness you describe regarding professional appearances and whatnot, but sometimes people who look like disgusting slobs are fighting hard for some sort of normalcy.

What is "presentable"?
What is "normal"?

We're all struggling. I like the idea of compassion and getting rid of instant judgment and condescension. Some days are hard – it would be so nice if we could recognize and appreciate that in others a little more often.

That’s just it – jeans and a nice top are fine. What isn’t fine is a stained track suit, a ratty sweatshirt that’s too big, too small or too faded, or clothes that don’t fit or have holes or stains (or all of the above). The day I showed up at the coffee shop, I was wearing a pair of dark-wash jeans, a new t-shirt, and a fitted jacket. The jacket made everything else, which was clean and the right size, look like a “look” more than a run-out-the-door-in-my-sweats look. I put on heels because I just got them and I love them. 🙂